The “Women Commandoes” Of Iran

There is no doubt that women in Iran are at the forefront of the post-election protests. Now, the Iranian intelligence agency has finally given a name to these fierce females. On a website linked to Iran’s intelligence ministry, “women commandoes” is the term used to describe this strong female force. Apparently “woman commando #1” heading the women’s election protest for the “Green Movement” is said to be Zahra Rahnarvard, Mir Hossein Mousavi’s wife and popular activist. But a panel recently held at the Woodrow Wilson Center in DC about Iranian women’s role in election protests explained that the strong female outpouring the world is seeing now has always been around—cleverly hidden before through education and quiet organization. While many of these women in Iran are not part of the military the military-ish term “women commandoes” only shows just how powerful a force these women are. [The Nation]